Cover for navigation instruments.



J. L. H. HAND.

COVER FOR NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 23, 1911. 1,092,645, Patented Apr. 7, 1914 2SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. L. H. HAND.

COVER FOR NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS.

Patented Apr. '7, 1914,

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 23, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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COVER FOR NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS.

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pelorus stand, in which a compass or pelorus is mounted, with a coverthat is movable wlth respect to either of such mstruments,

but not removable from the binnacle or pelorus stand proper.

Other features of my invention are more fully described hereinafter,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is an external view of a binnacle provided with a cover madein accord ance with my invention; Fig. 2, is a plan view of thestructure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, is a sectional view on the line aa,Fig. 2, showing the structure closed with the cover in the raised orinclosing position, Fig. 4:, is a similar sectional view showing thestructure open and the cover in the lowered position, and Figs. 5 and 6,are sectional views illustrating details of my invention.

During stormy weather it is highly essential that the compass, pelorusand other navigation instruments be inclosed, and binnacle covers havebeen employed for this purpose. The covers heretofore made, however,have been objectionable because they were constructed to be bodilyremoved from the binnacle or pelorus stand and when not in use were inthe way.

My invention comprises a cover available for use with a binnacle orpelorus stand and one that is movable with respect to such binnacle orpelorus stand so that the compass, pelorus or other instrument may becovered, or fully exposed, at the will of the navigator; such coverforming part of the structure, however, so that while it is alwaysavailable for use, it is never in the way when not in use.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 represents a binnacle or pelorus casing,and 2 an ordinary compass of the liquid type mounted in a suitable formof unlversal bearings so that it may find its level under allcircumstances. In the particular structure shown herewlth, a ring 3 1strunmoned at 4 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 23, 1911.

Patented Apr. 7, 19141.

Serial No. 667,559. r

in the casing 1; such ring providing for oscillating movement of thecompass in one plane, and for movement in a plane at right anglesthereto, the shell of the compass 2 is provided with knife-edgedsupports 5 adapted to bearings 6 carried by said ring 3. The compassstructure may have a transparent bottom 7 for a purpose to be describedhereinafter.

Suitably journaled on the trunnions 4 supporting the ring 3, is a ring10, and this ring carries a shell 11, substantially semi-circular incross-section forming a cover, which may have oppositely disposedapertures 12 and a centrally disposed aperture 13, all of whichapertures are preferably fitted with transparent material, glass forinstance, as indi cated at 14 and 15, respectively. The cover is movableon the trunnion t, to cover or uncover the compass or other navigationinstrument, as shown in Figs. 3 and 1. The several sight openings 12 and13 permit the ready reading of the compass during bad weather when thecover is in the raised position, and the glasses 14 closing the openings12 are provided with hair lines 16 whereby the desired course may beindicated and maintained. The hair lines, when in the normal positionwith respect to the binnacle, are in line with the keel of the boat.

The ring or rim 10 carrying'the cover is provided with a scale 17, whichmay have markings from 0 to 90, each way from the imaginary keel line orthe hair lines 16, or from 0 to 360, or other markings as may bedesired. The cover is so mounted in the ring 10 that it may be rotatedwith respect to this scale so that with the aid of the hair lines on thesight glasses any course desired may be laid down and steered.

To shift the cover from the open to the closed position, or vice Versa,a handle 20 may be provided. Carried by the rim of the cover, with itshead disposed within this handle, is a lock screw 21 having a shank 22threaded into said rim. The rim 23 of the casing in which the cover istrunnioned is notched at 24 on, opposite sides for the reception of thisscrew so that the cover may be brought to the fully open or fully closedposition and held in such position therein. When in either of saidpositions a shoulder 25 on said screw engages the walls of said notchedportions and main tains the cover relatively fixed with respect thereto.

As before mentioned, the compass is provided with a transparent bottom7, and this feature is intended to permit illumination of the same atnight. The source of illumination will be disposed at the bottom of thebinnacle casing, or if not at such point, will enter from a point belowthe same, and such light will illuminate the compass card from below bypassing through the transparent bottom of the compass shell or casing.By providing the cover with the top sight glass as indicated, properillumination of the compass when my improved cover is employed is fullyassured.

Instead of mounting the scale upon the fixed rim, it may be carried bythe cover, while the imaginary keel line can be disposed on the rim. Thetrunnions carrying the cover are on the same axis as the trunnions forthe outer ring support for the compass.

I claim:

1. A binnacle or pelorus stand comprising a substantially circular shellforming a closed casing, a navigation instrument mounted therein, and acover journaled on said casing and movable to closed and openedpositions respectively, said cover passing into the casing when thenavigation instrument is exposed.

2. A binnacle or stand comprising a substantially circular shell forminga closed casing, a navigation instrument trunnioned therein, and a coverjournaled on the same axis as the navigation instrument and movable toclosed and opened positions respect-ively.

3. A binnacle or navigation instrument stand, .anavigation instrumentmounted therein, and a cover comprising a trunnioned ring and a shell,said shell being rotatable with respect to said ring and the ring beingmovable on its trunnions to expose or inclose the navigation instrument.

4. The combination with a binnacle or navigation instrument stand, of acover, a trunnioned ring carrying said cover, and a scale carried bysaid ring, said cover having a keel line marking.

5. The combination with a binnacle or navigation instrument stand, of acover journaled therein and movable with respect to the same, said coverhaving sight openings, two of which are oppositely disposed, andtransparent material closing said sight openings, said oppositelydisposed sect-ions of transparent material having hair lines.

6. The combination with a binnacle or navigation instrument stand, of acover t-runnioned thereto and movable with respect to the same, anavigation instrument carried by said binnacle or stand and con structedfor the admission of light from below, and a sight glass carried by saidcover whereby the ilhunination fro-1n below will not be cut off when thecover is in the lowered or open position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN L. H. HAND.

Witnesses:

MURRAY C. BOYER, WM. A. BARR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,

Washington, D. C.

byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

